UNDERSTANDING CULTURE SOCIETY and POLITICS

FIRST QUARTER: WEEK 6

LESSON 1: Cultural Variations and Social Differences

Cultural Variations – refers to the differences in social behaviors that different cultures exhibit around the
world. Every culture is different. What may be good and acceptable in one culture may be
considered bad in another.

Examples of situations that show cultural variations/differences:

1. Women in western countries can wear bikinis in public beaches, while it is taboo for women in middle eastern countries to
wear bikinis in public places.
2. Eskimos saw nothing wrong with allowing one’s wife to sleep with a male visitor. However, Filipinos considered it
adulterous.
3. Roman Catholics make a sign of the cross as a symbol of faith, but it is considered taboo to some Christians.

LESSON 2: Ethnocentrism

How do people respond to Cultural Differences?

Ethnocentrism – coined by William Graham Sumnerl

● It is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one’s own culture.
● It is when you use your own culture as the center and evaluate other cultures based on your standard.
● It is a perception that one’s own culture is superior to the other culture.
● This perception leads to bullying, discrimination, racism intolerance, war, genocide, etc.

Examples:
a. White Americans should have better jobs than black Americans.
b. Laughing at someone for practicing his religion which is different from yours.
c. Laughing at someone using chopsticks while eating other than spoon and fork.
d. Rejection an applicant for a job because she is lesbian.

LESSON 3: Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism – coined by Franz Boas

● It is judging cultural behavior based on the context from its culture.

● It is the view that no culture is superior to any other culture.
● When comparing systems of morality, law, politics etc., all cultural beliefs are equally valid and true.
● Different environments equal different ways of living.
● Everything is relative.
● What is ok for some, may not be ok for others.

It refers to not judging a culture to our own standard of what is right or wrong, strange, or normal.
Instead, we try to understand and respect cultural practices of other groups that are rare and very different from yours.

Answer the question and activity below.

1.) Is there such a superior and inferior culture? Explain briefly in 5 sentences. (10 points ) Additional points for the
copy.
ACTIVITY: FILL IN THE CHART
DIRECTIONS: Describe the cultural differences/variations of Philippines and China based on various fields
enumerated below.

CULTURE Philippines China

Dress Baro at Saya Kimono

Language

Religion

Food
Dance